South Asian Scout Forum to be formed

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In the media Staff Correspondent, The Daily Star, Dhaka - 14th October 2008

Saarc Chief Scout Commissioners' Meet

Chief Scout Commissioners of Saarc countries have reached an agreement to form a South Asian Scout Forum to strengthen coordination among Scouts in the region.

They hoped that if this plan can be implemented, the forum would also increase scouting activities and social programmes in the Saarc sates.

The daylong meeting of the 6th Saarc Chief Scout Commissioners was held at Jamuna Resort in Tangail yesterday.

A total of six countries, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and host Bangladesh, of the regional bloc took part in the meeting.

To make competent citizens in South Asian countries, the commissioners also took an implementation plan of the well-timed programmes and training, experience sharing and make a work plan for future activities.

Chief National Commissioner of Bangladesh Scouts Md Abul Kalam Azad, Chief National Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides Shri LM Jain, Chief National Commissioner of Scout Association of the Maldives Ahmed Ali Maniku, Chief National Commissioner of Nepal Scout Shree Ram Lamichhane, International Commissioner of Pakistan Boy Scouts Association Ghazufar Maskoor, Chief Commissioner of Sri Lanka Scouts Association C Batuwangala, Asia Pacific Region Director of World Scout Bureau Syd Castillo and founder of South Asia Foundation Madanjeet Singh World Scout Bureau took part in the programme.

After the meeting, a cultural function was held at the same venue.

Tangail district unit of Bangladesh Scouts and Rovers and Zila Shilpakala Academy organised the function.

International Commissioner of Bangladesh Scouts and Home Secretary Md Abdul Karim, Commander of 98 Composite Brigade Frig Gen Nasimul Gani, Deputy Commissioner of Tangail Makchhudur Rahman Patwari, Additional Deputy Magistrate Syedul Islam and Tangail Municipality Mayor Zafar Ahmed also attended the function.

Sources said the last meeting of Chief Scout Commissioners was held in Islamabad in Pakistan.